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His team, which is from the Eastern Bay of Plenty town of Ōpōtiki, performed yesterday, bringing a number of messages including one in which they called for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Labour government to settle their Treaty claim.

Maxwell said the claim had been outstanding since 58,275ha of their land was confiscated in 1856, and settlement money would go toward things such as better housing, social services, and education for the Whakatōhea people.

"It was important to take that message," Maxwell said.

Today there was "a real good vibe" in the stadium.

There were many sacrifices people had to make to come to the event, and for many groups it costs thousands of dollars, but the sacrifices were worth it to "rekindle those family ties".

"It does something spiritually for the people to reconnect with where they come from."